If you HAD to choose...who of these should Obama pick for VEEP RD. 2

[mckeown1128]

Every night I will have poll. I will take the winners of the polls and poll them together untill DU comes to a majority opinion.

Yesterday was themed "Virginia Options" and so far has VA Sen. Jim Webb at 86%... you can still vote here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5401703&mesg_id=5401703

Tonights theme "Woman of the Democratic Party" (if I left some women out, they will be in other polls)

Analysis partly courtesy of politico:

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano

Pro: Executive experience and a proven statewide winner. A Westerner from McCain's home state, she could boost the ticket there.

Con: No national security experience.

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton

Pro: Smart, tough, vetted. Could bring her own alienated supporters back to Obama and unite the party.

Con: As divisive a pol as exists in American politics. There is bad blood between the candidates, in no small part because she has suggested Obama is unready to lead

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9394.html

CA Sen. Barbara Boxer

Pro: Experienced, smart, vetted, progressive.

Con: Isn't from a toss-up state or region, has already begun her 2010 reelection campaign.

Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill

Pro: Popular in Missouri a major 08 target, works well with Obama.

Con: Doesn't bring National experience or foreign policy creds.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

Pro: Experienced legislator, Democratic leader.

Con: Is from a state that will already go blue, has a good job already.

KA Gov. Kathleen Sebelius

Pro: Appeals to Midwesterners, combined with Obama's moderate strength in Kansas could bring it into play.

Con: Lacks foriegn policy experience, poor record on GBLT rights.

[Arugula Latte]

1. Barbara Boxer. Hands down.

Oh gawd -- NOT Hillary. x(

[SharonRB]

2. Absolutely

and absolutely.

[Lefty-Taylor]

7. "NOT Hillary." What's wrong with her? Are you a Hillary hater?

Just joking. Once again, Oregonian, you make good sense. I, too, would choose Boxer. We have so much in common. (Thanks for doing the dishes.)

[Arugula Latte]

9. Hey, thanks for the turkey and asparagus.

Sorry about the time-delayed mashed potatoes. :*

[minnesota_liberal]

33. McCaskill voted for telecom immunity

I used to be a fan. Not anymore.

[Orsino]

45. But why all the urgency to take her out of the Senate?

I like Boxer exactly where she is. If she needs promoting, she ought to be President.

[Jed Dilligan]

51. I'd love it but we need her in the Senate

especially if Ahnuld is the one to appoint her replacement!

[Demobrat]

3. Well I think he should pick Howard Dean.

But he's not on your list so I'll go with Boxer.

[Blondiegrrl]

21. Obama/Dean is my dream ticket.

I know it won't happen, but still it's a lovely dream.

[Demobrat]

24. Isn't it?

:-)

[Hutzpa]

55. Second the motion on that.

:thumbsup:

[BOSSHOG]

4. It won't matter as long as

General Wesley Clark is the Secretary of State regardless of the nominee.

[mckeown1128]

5. kick.nt

[anigbrowl]

6. Janet Napolitano, for 3 reasons

1. She's strong in both executive and electoral experience

2. She's very down to earth and ordinary looking - extremely easy for voters to connect with

3. She knows how to hit John McCain on his weak spots better than anyone else.

Barbara Boxer is a great lady, but she's kind of remote from regular voters. 'Pubs regard her as a machine democrat. By contrast, surprisingly many of them like Napolitano - she's about as far from the 'elitist' stereotype as you can get.

[mckeown1128]

8. Interesting.... hmmm..

But would she be able to bring Arizona or at least bring it into play?

[anigbrowl]

10. Could very well be. But for me her #1 advantage

is her accessibility. She's jolly, practical, easy for people of all political stripes to like. Boxer's my senator and I look forward to having her again, but the GOP would go to town on her - 'too california', anti-gun and so on.

[FrenchieCat]

27. Plus, she's a governor.......

[Kahuna]

28. I go with Janet too. I've had a feeling about her for some time.

:thumbsup:

[Ian David]

11. If we're basing it on who we want in The White House, and not who's most likely to beat McCain...

... then I choose Barbara Boxer.

In fact, I'd prefer Boxer / Obama over Obama / Boxer.


But strategically... we need a rich white christian male from a large southern state to win.

[Kahuna]

29. What if McCain chooses a female to pick off disheartened Hillary

supporters? If he were smart, he'd do just that.

[Ian David]

30. If he picks a woman, it'll be some looser like Condi or Katherine Harris. n/t

[sellitman]

12. Why not just make one Poll?

:shrug:

[mckeown1128]

16. Too many people would be split between to many choices...

I think if we narrow it done we will find a canidate that is everyones 2nd choice instead of a few peoples 1st choice...and..well..it's more fun like this... :P

[elocs]

13. Ahh, but I don't "have" to choose, do I?

Anyways, its not up to me and I don't expect to get called about my thoughts, not that I have any.

[bain_sidhe]

14. Why do you keep leaving out Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy?

Virgina resident. First 3-star General of the Army. Military Intelligence.

Bio (from the article below): Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy, U.S. Army (Ret.), was the first woman to achieve the rank of three-star general in the U.S. Army. She served as the senior intelligence officer for U.S. Forces Command and as deputy commanding general for the Army Intelligence Center and School, and completed her Army career as the deputy chief of staff for intelligence. She is a member of the board of the American Security Project.

Read her article on "No Torture, No Exceptions" here:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2008/0801.kennedy.html

[mckeown1128]

15. I honestly have never heard of her... but I promise she...

will be in tomorrow's poll.

[bain_sidhe]

18. You should! She's a twofer

Female and Virginian.

Hmmm. make that a threefer... She'd really beef up the "national security" aspect of the ticket.

**edited for grammar**

[mckeown1128]

22. ummm sounds like a threefer..

female, Virginian, and military.... now only if she were hispanic/jewish, a union organizer, and a former governor...then she would appeal to everybody :)

[bain_sidhe]

26. Nobody's perfect ;-) n/t

[gateley]

34. I wasn't familiar with her, either --

but the article you linked to, and your ringing endorsements are impressive!

I'd definitely like to know more about her and see her get some attention -- thanks!!

[stevenleser]

40. A couple of questions about Lt. Gen Kennedy

#1 - Is she even interested in politics?

#2 - Is she a good speaker?


I looked up her pics, she is certainly attractive. Im not saying that should be the deciding factor but it doesn hurt.

[bain_sidhe]

44. She's good on TV, at least

I've seen her as a "military expert" on some cable news show... don't remember which.

She was interested enough in politics to consider running for a Senate seat, but ultimately decided not to.

Here's the bio from Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lt-gen-claudia-kennedy/#blogger_bio

And here's her wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudia_Kennedy

And here's an article about her opposition to "don't ask, don't tell" which should go over well in the GLBT community. A key quote:

“Speaking of values,” she told the SLDN attendees, “when there is discussion supporting exclusion of gays, it often refers to American values. Let me ask this—which of these values is directly correlated to sexual orientation? Is there any value among those I listed that is unique to heterosexuals? Americans need to respect all service members.”

Anyway, google her! I'm a fan. I can respect those who'd rather keep civilian and military completely separate, but... lots of people have come to public service after leaving the Military, and I just don't share the concern.

[Sensitivity]

17. What is the point of polls for VP with no options that address Obama's Nat. Sec requirement

[mckeown1128]

23. there will be some... I am doing a different poll every night. nt

[MonkeyFunk]

19. come on, be real

it will NEVER be Barbara Boxer.

She adds nothing electorally, she's too old, a Jewish liberal from Marin, and she'd be replaced by a Republican governor.

[nebula]

20. Ron Paul!

j/k.

[Labors of Hercules]

25. oooooo I'm so TORN!!!

either Boxer or Napolitano, both for different reasons.

[mckeown1128]

31. kick.nt

[David Zephyr]

32. You're correct that Boxer is from a Blue State. But she would deliver Florida.

Don't forget that Senator Boxer is not only a great progressive Democrat of whom I am very, very proud, but she is also a Jewish woman and this would be a big asset in Florida to Obama.

I like the fact that both of them opposed the war before it began.

And don't overlook the fact that Boxer has more Senate experience than Hillary does.

Finally, thanks for your poll.

[newmajority]

35. Probably gotta go with Gov. Napolitano here

Politically, I prefer Boxer. But as I said in the related poll, two Senators on the same ticket is not a good idea. And California's not going to go Repuke. Arizona could go blue..... assuming they don't vote for McLoony, just to get rid of him! Richardson remains my favorite "western governor" for VP because of his resume, but this is a "woman only" poll, I guess.

[MADem]

36. The only way he'd win with a female ticket sharer is with Clinton.

Pelosi and Boxer are TOO LIBERAL. The rest have an "insufficient" national footprint.

[mckeown1128]

38. I think I agree with you... about Pelosi and Boxer...

My only conern about Clinton is that while she would bring some of the older Democrats.. who I think will switch to McCain otherwise... I think she hurts Obama witht Indies and Repbulicans who would like to vote against Bush policies... but have had years of right wing brainwashing about the Clinton name... I am worried that she would scare off some of Obama's crossover votes(which I think is his GE strength)

[MADem]

39. I think it's probably wise not to count those crossover voting chickens too much.

I really think they'll go for McCain when the rubber meets the road. Especially if McCain picks the "right" Veep.

The pickings are with the D's and Indys.

[newmajority]

43. Pelosi? Too Liberal?? She's got a hell of a funny way of showing it.

Besides, there is no such goddamned thing as "Too Liberal". Certainly not among anyone currently holding any elected office in this country.

[MADem]

48. Whatever. You seem to misapprehend her role.

You need to, as most do, separate out her PERSONAL politics from her management of the House in her position as Speaker.

See, as Speaker, she isn't Speaker for the FAR LEFT, she's Speaker for EVERYONE. She has to represent her caucus, from right to left.

People who think the Speaker is going to prosecute his or her OWN agenda don't get how it works. The Speaker prosecutes the party's CONSENSUS agenda.

Everyone thought Pelosi would screw up on that score--so far, she hasn't.

[Hawkeye-X]

37. If I had to make a choice, Kathleen Sebelius gets my vote, however

I think the nod will most likely go to Bill Richardson. He has the creds, and definetely the experience to go with it.

[mckeown1128]

41. I agree. Richardson has the best shot. nt

[woolldog]

42. I'm a little worried about 2 senators on the ticket....

especially if that senator can't bring in a new state. That's two strikes against boxer, clinton as far as I'm concerned.

It was between McKaskill and Sebelius. I picked Sebelius, but I don't think either really fits Obama well, unfortunately, especially because of the lack of foreign policy/military credentials.

[Alexander]

46. Napolitano. She's been a great governor and would do well on a ticket with Obama.

She would help with women, gun owners, Arizona and the southwest, the "experience" argument, and immigration issues.

She's done a good job so far here in Arizona and she's pretty popular here - possibly enough to make the state competitive.

[calimary]

47. The reason I would not choose Barbara Boxer (and I love her to pieces!!!)

is because we need the bench strength in the Senate. We need EVERY Democrat we can get in there. We'll already be extracting one - either way, frankly. Boxer is splendid. Just WUNNNderful. But we need her where she is. Especially if the Gropenator is still in the state house and in position to perhaps appoint a republi-CON replacement. Too bad, also, because I think she'd be magnificent at it. Hell, she could certainly be President - and a good one. But I want her to stay in the Senate. She's gaining in prominence and seniority, she's not afraid to speak out and verbally punch people in the nose if need be (and with style), and she's perfection on the issues. I wouldn't mind seeing her elevated to Senate Majority Leader. Someone who would steer the Senate more decisively in the correct direction.

[SteppingRazor]

49. Boxer's probably my favorite senator, but I went with McCaskill in this poll.

We'll get Calif., regardless of who the Democratic nominee may be. But McCaskill will shore up our chances in a very important swing state.

[mckeown1128]

50. Kick for votes.nt

[Jed Dilligan]

52. I'm not that aware of her, but Napolitano sounds best by your desc.

[On the Road]

53. The Best Balance for the Ticket

from a political point of view might be a Western governor like Sebelius. I can't speak to her record, though. Clinton-Gore suggests that balance might be overrated.

[mckeown1128]

54. kick.nt

[mckeown1128]

56. kick.nt

[mckeown1128]

57. kick.nt